Howard Stern White Knights Kelly Clarkson, Slams Clive Davis

Howard Stern took up hard for former and first American Idol Kelly Clarkson, ripping into Clive Davis for upsetting the singer after she replied to Davis in a scathing open letter.

Howard Stern is himself judge on an Idol-like show and has been known to both praise and denigrate “talent” equally. But when it comes to Kelly Clarkson, Stern is a fan, it seems — both of her music and her story.

On Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show, the “shock jock” seemed to be bothered for Clarkson based on the content of a letter she released in response to Davis’ version of their working relationship in his memoir, The Soundtrack Of My Life.

In the book, Clive Davis recounts his dealings with Kelly Clarkson, and apparently his recall is not flattering. In response, the singer said:

“So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone – even Clive Davis.”

Before Howard Stern got involved, Clarkson addressed her alleged “hysterical sobbing” in Davis’ office but seems to suggest he conflated two different events. She admits:

“But, yes, I did cry in his office once. I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called “Because Of You.” I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a “s***ty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.” He continued on about how the song didn’t rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with.”

After Clarkson’s letter, Howard Stern jumped in and said on his show that Kelly Clarkson has an “amazing voice” and has “worked hard to get to where she is,” adding:

“It sickens me when management guys like to set the record straight about how f***ing creative they are and what geniuses they are … This guy is trying to diminish what she does? Doesn’t he have enough in life, can’t he tell his story without f***ing degrading her?”

Burn. After Kelly Clarkson and Howard Stern’s criticism, Davis told the LA Times he is “truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together.”